Italy to Paris Oh My . . .
Jul 28th, 2006, 01:18 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Italy to Paris Oh My . . .
Fodorites....I need your most excellent advice on my itinerary (sept!!).
-Rome 4 days
-Italian Riveria 4 days (staying in SML)
Is Levanto, Portovenere, Lerici, Camogli considered the Riveria. Can we easily get to those spots from SML or should we stay in one of those towns?
-CT (probably should do this before SML?, already booked SML but can try and change).
-Paris 4 days
The big question is how much time would you recommend spending in the Italian Riveria and CT. Should I treat them as two mini trips, different hotels? We could spend approximately 6 days between the two. Which are your favorite towns? Where did you stay? We won't have a car so train or bus will be necessary.
Molto Grazie
-Rome 4 days
-Italian Riveria 4 days (staying in SML)
Is Levanto, Portovenere, Lerici, Camogli considered the Riveria. Can we easily get to those spots from SML or should we stay in one of those towns?
-CT (probably should do this before SML?, already booked SML but can try and change).
-Paris 4 days
The big question is how much time would you recommend spending in the Italian Riveria and CT. Should I treat them as two mini trips, different hotels? We could spend approximately 6 days between the two. Which are your favorite towns? Where did you stay? We won't have a car so train or bus will be necessary.
Molto Grazie
Jul 28th, 2006, 04:22 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't you want to go to Genova? It's such an unusual Italian city to explore, and with fantastic food. Such a contrast from Paris.
I would use Camogli as one base, with visits to Genova and boat rides to San Fruttoso and/or Portofino (and you can walk or bus from Portofino to SML, and use the train to return to Camolgi).
I think it doesn't matter if you use SML or Levanto for exploring the Cinque Terre and points south.
Have a great time! September is wonderful time to travel in that area.
I would use Camogli as one base, with visits to Genova and boat rides to San Fruttoso and/or Portofino (and you can walk or bus from Portofino to SML, and use the train to return to Camolgi).
I think it doesn't matter if you use SML or Levanto for exploring the Cinque Terre and points south.
Have a great time! September is wonderful time to travel in that area.
Jul 28th, 2006, 05:41 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the advice. I was afraid I wasn't going to get any responses
. I hadn't considered Genoa so based on your recommendation I will do some additional research. Any recommendations on best area of Genoa to stay (central)? More questions.....Would you happen to know how long of a train ride it is from Rome to SML and then from Genoa to Paris. It may be better to fly from Genoa to Paris. One additional question. From Rome on the train, what do you think about stopping for an overnighter somewhere in Tuscany (like Sienna)? We won't have a car so I'm not sure how that will work out. Thanks again, you guys are great!!!! BTW, I will definitely check out the NY Times for restaurant reviews in Genoa.
. I hadn't considered Genoa so based on your recommendation I will do some additional research. Any recommendations on best area of Genoa to stay (central)? More questions.....Would you happen to know how long of a train ride it is from Rome to SML and then from Genoa to Paris. It may be better to fly from Genoa to Paris. One additional question. From Rome on the train, what do you think about stopping for an overnighter somewhere in Tuscany (like Sienna)? We won't have a car so I'm not sure how that will work out. Thanks again, you guys are great!!!! BTW, I will definitely check out the NY Times for restaurant reviews in Genoa.
Jul 28th, 2006, 06:31 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the idea of three nights in SML and three in the CT. Camogli is considered Riviera... the other towns are on the far southern edge of Ligurian coast. You can get to Camogli, San Fruttuoso and Portofino very easily from SML.
From the CT, you can visit Levanot, Portovenere or Lerici if you would like.
SML is my favorite town and I like the Hotel Metropole, althoug in high season they demand half board. I didn't find it a hardship.. the food was good, some of it very good.
I have only stayed at the Porto Rocca in the CT (Monterosso al Mare) and it was a very nice hotel. They demand a 3 night minimum in high season.
Since you won't have a car, I would use boats in SML and the CT. Also trains in the CT, but Portovenere is quite a way from the nearest train station in La Spezia.
From SML you can also bus to Portofino and train to Camogli.
You can get to SML and the CT by train, very easily from other parts of Italy, including Rome. You might also want to check a cheap flight from Rome to Pisa or Genoa.
From the CT, you can visit Levanot, Portovenere or Lerici if you would like.
SML is my favorite town and I like the Hotel Metropole, althoug in high season they demand half board. I didn't find it a hardship.. the food was good, some of it very good.
I have only stayed at the Porto Rocca in the CT (Monterosso al Mare) and it was a very nice hotel. They demand a 3 night minimum in high season.
Since you won't have a car, I would use boats in SML and the CT. Also trains in the CT, but Portovenere is quite a way from the nearest train station in La Spezia.
From SML you can also bus to Portofino and train to Camogli.
You can get to SML and the CT by train, very easily from other parts of Italy, including Rome. You might also want to check a cheap flight from Rome to Pisa or Genoa.
Jul 28th, 2006, 06:48 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't stay in Genova. I'd stay in Camogli (30 minutes from Genova by train) at the Hotel La Casmona. (Spring for a terrace. It's worth it.) Or you could just plunk down in Santa Margherita Ligure, which is fairly central, and take your pick between seeing the CT on some days and Genova on others.
I don't know train times from Rome to the Cinque Terra area. You could find out by going to the Trenitalia website. (Remember to use Roma (with an "a") as your departure station and then whatever town you choose: Levanto, S.Margherita Ligure (watch that spelling), Camogli, Genova.
I have herd that the some of the train ride from Rome along the Tuscan coast is quite scenic, so you might enjoy that -- or you might enjoy an overnight in a Tuscan town on the train line, like Lucca. (But see what kind of time it adds to your trip.)
Your train will probably have to pass right through Pisa, and I happen to like the town a lot, especially if you are willing to get beyond the beautiful monuments. And the food there is very good. Other people are so put off by the touristy knick-knack stuff they encounter near the Leaning Tower, they write Pisa off. But for an overnighter, you might find it amusing.
I would definitely look into flying from Genova to Pisa. Otherwise, it's about a 2 hour ride from the Riviera to Milano, where you can take a flight. Or you can even try checking out trains through France. If you end up staying in SML, you can look into flying out of Pisa.
So many options! Hope you aren't feeling overwhelmed.
I don't know train times from Rome to the Cinque Terra area. You could find out by going to the Trenitalia website. (Remember to use Roma (with an "a") as your departure station and then whatever town you choose: Levanto, S.Margherita Ligure (watch that spelling), Camogli, Genova.
I have herd that the some of the train ride from Rome along the Tuscan coast is quite scenic, so you might enjoy that -- or you might enjoy an overnight in a Tuscan town on the train line, like Lucca. (But see what kind of time it adds to your trip.)
Your train will probably have to pass right through Pisa, and I happen to like the town a lot, especially if you are willing to get beyond the beautiful monuments. And the food there is very good. Other people are so put off by the touristy knick-knack stuff they encounter near the Leaning Tower, they write Pisa off. But for an overnighter, you might find it amusing.
I would definitely look into flying from Genova to Pisa. Otherwise, it's about a 2 hour ride from the Riviera to Milano, where you can take a flight. Or you can even try checking out trains through France. If you end up staying in SML, you can look into flying out of Pisa.
So many options! Hope you aren't feeling overwhelmed.
Jul 29th, 2006, 03:03 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi nunz,
Train schedules prices and tickets within Italy are at www.trenitalia.com
Between Italy and Paris you can use the above and www.voyages-sncf.com.
Train schedules prices and tickets within Italy are at www.trenitalia.com
Between Italy and Paris you can use the above and www.voyages-sncf.com.
Jul 29th, 2006, 07:17 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
You have all been a huge help. I've got some work to do now. I have visitors this weekend so I'm going to have to do most of this early Monday morning. I'm feeling pressure to get this tied up. I'm afraid I won't have any choices if I wait too long. I woke up speaking Italian this morning, I've been thinking about this so much. The hotels (porto rocco and metropole) are beautiful. I've got to get my itinerary straight so I can book soon. I think I will look into flying from Rome to Genoa, unless there's a chance to train to Tuscany for one night. Maybe that's too much trouble and not enough time to really see anything. I thought it might be fun to see a different landscape, etc. Ciao Ciao. I will send an update to see what you all think.
